Lifestyles - Columnist

Hill: Policosanol extract: New research for cholesterol

Dr. Teresa C. Hill, for the Journal-Advocate

Posted:
01/28/2013 11:12:02 AM MST

Dr. Teresa C. Hill

Cholesterol control seems to be at the top of most everyone's list. I am constantly asked what can be done to help with cholesterol. Recent research has shown that nutritional products that contain guggulipids, apple pectin, garlic, beta sistosterol, beta glucans, Inositol, cordyceps and especially the ingredient policosanol extract help to support and regulate lipid and especially cholesterol balance.

Here is the exciting clinical research that has just been released. Policosanol was tested against statins and lowered LDL cholesterol as much as levostatin and pravastatin. In this same clinical trial Lipitor and policosanol both significantly lowered cholesterol, but the policosanol significantly raised the HDL (good cholesterol). The policosanol group did not raise the liver enzymes like the Lipitor group did. Policosanol also helped to lower glucose, CPK and liver AST enzymes.

Policosanol does not cause pain in the muscles like the statin drugs. Policosanol does not deplete Co-enzyme Q10. Co-enzyme Q-10 protects the heart. The most important part of the research showed that the group taking the policosanol produced greater changes in the HDL (good) cholesterol, more tolerable and much safer. Policosanol was taken at 10mg/day for 12 weeks.

Policosanol is a purified mixture of primary alcohols isolated from sugar-cane wax or bees wax that helps prevent LDL oxidation. It also helps lower total and LDL cholesterol by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis and helps reduce the cholesterol content of liver, heart and fatty tissues.

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Policosanol has been researched to show that it helps to prevent and reverse atherosclerosis lesions and thrombosis. It also worked quite favorably for diabetic patients to help their glucose levels and reduce lipids.

Contraindications for taking high doses of policosanol include the use of Propranolol, nifedipine, other anithypertensive drugs, anticoagulants/antiplatelet or cholesterol medications. Patients taking acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitors and cholinomimetic agents should also be monitored closely.

Total Lipotrophic is the product that I am most familiar with at this time. The research is so very exciting that I'm sure many of you will be searching the Internet for a similiar type of product. Keeping you informed about new reasearch is very exciting.

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